Colombia has begun the process of replacing imported seedless grapes with fruit grown on national soil, with the industry planning to first meet domestic demand and then export the crop.

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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Aurelio Iragorri spoke of the grape sector's long-term goals at a recent visit to a vineyard in the Cauca Valley - which is located on the country's west coast and is the main grape-growing area.

"Instead of continuing to import grapes, in February this year we achieved approval, through a resolution from the Colombian Institute of Agriculture (ICA), to bring grape budwood over from Peru," Iragorri said in a release.

"This means that in Colombia we will be able to produce enough to stop the 18,000 metric ton (MT) imports, growing the grapes here and then begin to export."

The government representative highlighted that Colombian seedless grape production was already having positive effects on the economy.

He added that year-round production would allow the country to "make the most of the time when the U.S. and Chile were not able to supply the market".

"It was always said that it was impossible to plant and produce seedless grapes in Colombia, but with the independent work of a businessman and decent jobs for workers, we are getting there," Iragorri said.

The Cauca Valley produces 86.9% of national grape production, with vineyards achieving on average 10.9 metric tons (MT) per hectare, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The peak of production is usually in June, July, November and December, with the main municipalities being La Unión, Toro, Ginebra, Guacarí, El Cerrito y Bolívar.

Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

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